Example: “My body of work combines (the how) photography and original writing (the what) to investigate themes of time and memory (the why).”
Consider the following advice when writing your artist statement: Brainstorm. The first hurdle is to figure out what to write about. Freewrite. Rewrite what stands out. In general, be specific. Be clear and concise. Proofread. Use your own voice.
What information does an artist's statement need to include? There are three elements to consider: the “how,” the “what,” and the “why.” There should be enough information in your artist statement that someone can begin to imagine the art that you make without having it in front of them.
I created… First I used <art supply> to… Then I added… At first I was going to do this, but then I changed my mind and...
“My work is a collection of a variety of resources, a collection of experiences. It's about understanding history, understanding the power of history, the power of power, the power of beauty, the power of transformation, and the power of purpose.”
Artist Statement Guidelines A general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project. It should open with the work's basic ideas in an overview of two or three sentences or a short paragraph. The second paragraph should go into detail about how these issues or ideas are presented in the work.
Don't use unnecessary jargon. Avoid words, phrases, and ideas that are so specific to your discipline that a general arts reader might not understand them.
Avoid phrases like, ``I want to...'' or, ``I'm trying to...'' or, ``My intention is...'' Just say what you're doing: ``I expose the gritty underbelly of urban life...'' or, ``These paintings explore the wonders of nature and the beauty of our world...'' Don't be wishy-washy about it.
What Not to Say to an Artist 1. ``Do You Know An Artist, So-and-So?'' 2. ``I Love the Frame!'' 3. ``You Should...'' 4. ``This Piece Would Look Great If You Added....'' How bout this one: ``This piece would look great with (fill in the blank) in the picture.'' So, it's not great without that?? 5. Adding to the List